Page 63 of Truth Revealed

The infuriating demon only shrugged. “Dunno. He’s not answering his phone.”

“And you’re absolutely certain of this?” she asked, seething at just the thought.

“Yes. I might have been half out of it, but I know I heard him say apovállo. Then everyone scattered like you told us to instead of holding down the house.” He shrugged. “I thought something seemed off with the kid, but he’s been terrified of you since day one, so I never would have thought he’d have the balls to turn on you.”

“So he’s lying to me? About what?” she questioned, while thumbing through the demon’s phone, the call log lighting up with one name—Truth. “He’s supposed to be talking to Truth, this is all normal.”

But she was lying to herself, and that was the problem.

Deceit spread his hands innocently. “That, I can’t tell ya. I can only tell you he is deceiving you.”

Pandora turned on her heel and resumed pacing, crossing her arms and tapping her index finger on the arm underneath. “The little brat,” she hissed. “He has good reason to be terrified of me. Just wait until I get my hands on him.”

Pandora sucked in a deep breath and brushed her hair back from her face before facing Deceit again. “Why don’t you call the others and we can pay Youth a little visit?”

His lips curled in satisfaction, either at the thought of a little torture, or reaffirmation of who was in charge, but she didn’t care.

All that mattered was that her demons fell right into line, so one day they wouldn’t dare put up a fight when it was time to lock them away.

For good.

* * *

TRUTH

His hands were sweating stains into the leather steering wheel of Pain’s car by the time he pulled up at the old park, headlights off. Parks were creepy as shit at night and he stifled a chill trying to trail up his spine like skeletal fingers. Moths buzzed around the bright park lights, the swings swayed back and forth from the wind, and the creaking of the chains was something he’d probably hear in his nightmares.

His breath turned to a cloud of air as he got out of the car. He was furious. And worried, he could admit to himself. Youth was impulsive, easily manipulated… innocent.

If anything had happened to him because of their deal, Truth didn’t know how he would live with the guilt.

But amongst all of that was relief. Truth would finally be able to take Youth home and tell Daria everything. It would all be okay.

Throwing the car into park, he jerked the keys out and pushed the car door open. The park was silent, except for the creaking of the swings to his left, which led to the rest of the playground behind them. To his right was an old pavilion with picnic tables that had seen better days.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, he walked toward the pavilion and dialed Youth. His heart sank at the missed calls from Daria, but he pushed aside his worry. He’d be able to tell her everything soon.

He answered on the first ring. “Truth?”

“Are you here? Why the fuck did you hang up on me?” he asked.

Youth didn’t answer, and didn’t have to, because he came into view, standing up from one of the tables and moving out from behind a pillar. Truth was sure the tables had once held colorful balloons from birthday parties and happily squealing children. Now it was half rotted and leaned concerningly to one side.

Youth motioned for him to come closer and Truth hesitated. “I thought we were leaving, what’s going on?”

“There’s someone you need to meet.”

“That doesn’t sound ominous at all,” he drawled, but even that sarcastic lie was enough to send his stomach lurching. One would think he’d be used to it by then.

Pushing the thought and the pain away, he followed Youth into the old pavilion, snapping the burner phone closed and sliding it into his pocket.

“Youth,” he hissed, “who else is here?”

A silhouette came into view, a shadow sitting at the last table. The feminine shape made him pause, fear skittering down his spine. Is it Pandora? Has Youth been playing me?

He was two seconds from turning his back on the young demon and running. With every step he took, his fear intensified until his heart was absolutely pounding, his palms sweating, and his teeth gritted against the desire to shout for Youth to get back.

Instead, he stepped closer and closer, because he had to know. The darkness in the pavilion swallowed them whole.